Binding Structure between Tank and Header of Automotive Heater Core

ABSTRACT

This invention involves a binding structure between tank and header of an automotive heater core, which belongs to the field of auto parts technology. Said structure includes the upper tank ( 3 ), the bottom tank ( 8 ) and the header ( 4 ). Characteristics of said structure are that there are clinching tabs ( 4.1 ) around the headers connecting to the upper tank ( 3 ) and to the bottom tank ( 8 ). Said clinching tabs ( 4.1 ) clamp to the edges of the upper tank ( 3 ) and the bottom tank ( 8 ). The clamping of clinching tabs to the edges of the tanks structurally ensures the mechanical strength of the binding between the header to the upper tank and to the bottom tank. It ensures a good brazing and firm binding between the tanks and the header.

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application No. 200810018987.4 filed on Jan. 30, 2008, which application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is applied to an automotive heater core. It is a binding structure between tank and header of automotive heater core. It belongs to the field of auto parts technology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An automotive heater core is a radiator dissipating heat into the car cabin using cooling water from the engine, it includes: inlet pipe, outlet pipe, upper tank, bottom tank, header, tube, cooling fins and side plate. The technique used for manufacturing heater core is brazing. The biggest problem encountered during the manufacturing process is that the brazing between the tank and header is not firm enough thus will cause leak and failure of the heater core.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above shortages, and to provide a kind of structure to strengthen the binding between tank and header of the automotive heater core.

Said purpose is achieved through the binding structure between tank and header of automotive heater core, including the upper tank, bottom tank and header, Characteristics of said structure are that there are clinching tabs around the headers connecting to the upper tank and to the bottom tank. Said clinching tabs clamp to the edges of the upper tank and the bottom tank.

The clamping of clinching tabs to the edges of the tanks structurally ensures the mechanical strength of the connection between the header to the upper tank and to the bottom tank. It ensures a good brazing and firm bonding between the tanks and the header.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the overall structure of the automotive heater core involved in this invention FIG. 2 is the breakdown of the binding by the clinching tabs between the upper tank and the header of the automotive heater core after clamping FIG. 3 is the breakdown of the binding by the clinching tabs between the bottom tank and the header of the automotive heater core after clamping FIG. 4 is the section view of the breakdown of the bottom tank and the header of the automotive heater core before clamping FIG. 5 is the section view of the breakdown of the upper tank and the header of the automotive heater core before clamping FIG. 6 is the section view of assembly of the bottom tank and header of the automotive heater core after clamping of the clinching tabs.

FIG. 7 is the section view of assembly of the upper tank and header of the automotive heater core after clamping of the clinching tabs.

In the drawings: inlet pipe 1, outlet pipe 2, upper tank 3, header 4, side plate 5, tube 6, cooling fins 7, bottom tank 8, bottom margin of upper and bottom tank 3.1, tooth 4.1.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, an automotive heater core includes 8 parts: inlet pipe 1, outlet pipe 2, upper tank 3, bottom tank 8, header 4, tube 6, cooling fins 7 and side plate 5. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 there are some clinching tabs (4.1) around the headers connecting to the upper tank (3) and to the bottom tank (8), when assembled the clinching tabs (4.1) clamp to the edges of the upper tank (3) and the bottom tank (8), then the assembled heater core is brazed as shown in FIGS. 6, 7. This kind of structure can be applied to header and tank's connection in all types of automotive heater cores and industrial radiators. 

1. A binding structure between tank and header of automotive heater core comprising a upper tank, a bottom tank and a header, the header has clinching tabs around the top border and bottom border thereof for connecting the upper tank and the bottom tank by clamping to the edges of the upper tank and the bottom tank. 